Kendrick Perkins, who had been playing a vital role for the injury-plagued Pelicans, has joined the team's list of wounded players and will reportedly miss three months.
Yahoo Sports reports sources indicate the 30-year-old center will need three months to rehab a right pectoral injury he suffered last Saturday against the Warriors.
The 13-year vet, who signed in the offseason for the league minimum, had been expected to provide end-of-the-bench depth. Instead, he had already started three games this season for the Pelicans in place of injured center Omer Asik, averaging 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
In addition to Asik, injuries to Tyreke Evans, Quincy Pondexter and Norris Cole have taken a toll on New Orleans, which dropped to 0-5 with a 121-115 loss to the Hawks Friday night.